XC Voyager Refurbishment

[GoneSouth]

I was hoping they would wait until autumn. Presumably the summer holidays are the busiest period.

I was hoping they would have started last autumn

 

[swt_passenger]

I was hoping they would have started last autumn

They’ll be waiting on the entire years delay compared to the original milestones, probably be easier to amend the plan that way. But yes, ‘late 2024’ was the publicised start date, eg post #65 back in Feb 24.

 

[tomoufc]

I was hoping they would have started last autumn

Not me. They definitely needed all the Avanti units they were going to get, before starting.

 

[60maniac]

I was hoping they would wait until autumn. Presumably the summer holidays are the busiest period.

Probably making the most of the Stockport blockade, I understand they're not running a full service because of it.

 

[tomoufc]

Probably making the most of the Stockport blockade, I understand they're not running a full service because of it.

I see. Hope what’s running is all doubled up then.

 

[sprinterguy]

Probably making the most of the Stockport blockade, I understand they're not running a full service because of it.

There's no reduction in XC Manchester services during the blockade, they're still half hourly through the day.

 

[E B]

There's no reduction in XC Manchester services during the blockade, they're still half hourly through the day.

Slightly off topic, but which diversionary route would they take?

 

[AJDesiro]

Slightly off topic, but which diversionary route would they take?

Via Styal.

 

[E B]

Via Styal.

Thank you.

 

[Carnforth_24]

Slightly off topic, but which diversionary route would they take?

Via Styal and East Didsbury, as are Avanti.

 

[RichardAsh1981]

Any pics or insights on how it looks?

Quite a few small patches of grey primer were visible, so either localised corrosion work or touching up of the paint job.

 

[E B]

Via Styal and East Didsbury, as are Avanti.

Cheers.

 

[sabanda]

Refurbishment of 220033 is now expected to be complete by Spring 2026:

The planned refurbishment of the CrossCountry’s long-distance Voyager fleet has also begun in earnest, with the first refurbished train scheduled to roll off the factory line by Spring 2026.

From https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.u...ntry-confirms-december-2025-timetable-changes

 

[Russel]

Refurbishment of 220033 is now expected to be complete by Spring 2026:


From https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.u...ntry-confirms-december-2025-timetable-changes

So, 6 months to refurb a 4 car unit...

Still don't understand how the first units always seem to take so long for what is basically a strip out, paint and refit with new components.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

From what I gather, this unit has so many electrical issues it needs a complete rewire as well?

 

[Rail Quest]

Still don't understand how the first units always seem to take so long for what is basically a strip out, paint and refit with new components.

I think 220033 is already stripped out. It was in one of the sheds at the greatest gathering with its insides gutted and one of the driving cars detached from the set.

 

[voyagerdude220]

From what I gather, this unit has so many electrical issues it needs a complete rewire as well?

Just out of curiosity, has something specific caused these major issues or is it simply the train equivalent of wear and tear?

 

[357]

Just out of curiosity, has something specific caused these major issues or is it simply the train equivalent of wear and tear?

I can think of another voyager I drive that is known for electrical gremlins. Spending time out of use certainly isn't good for these units.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

I think 220033 is already stripped out. It was in one of the sheds at the greatest gathering with its insides gutted and one of the driving cars detached from the set.

It was in pieces for sure. Inside and out.

 

[XCTurbostar]

I assumed the first one was the trail blazer for the 'on-board technology enhancements' so it was expected to be an up hill struggle. I suspect once the solution is documented, the following Voyagers will be much quicker.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I can think of another voyager I drive that is known for electrical gremlins. Spending time out of use certainly isn't good for these units.

Ex Avanti 221?

 

[Travelmonkey]

I assumed the first one was the trail blazer for the 'on-board technology enhancements' so it was expected to be an up hill struggle. I suspect once the solution is documented, the following Voyagers will be much quicker.

Indeed, same was the case for avanti and their pendalino refresh. As the old proverb goes "Rome was not built in a day" I know the ex Avanti voyagers got a soft touch refurb while the 80x to replace them were in build. And it's much nicer on one of them former west coast sets.

 

[E B]

So it could be May 2026 before we see the first refurbished Voyager. Potentially up to 9 months for a 4 car unit.

 

[Travelmonkey]

So it could be May 2026 before we see the first refurbished Voyager. Potentially up to 9 months for a 4 car unit.

Ok what's gonna come out refurbed 1st the voyager or the EMR 360, taking bets

 

[E B]

Ok what's gonna come out refurbed 1st the voyager or the EMR 360, taking bets

I think the Voyager!

 

[GoneSouth]

Refurbishment of 220033 is now expected to be complete by Spring 2026:


From https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.u...ntry-confirms-december-2025-timetable-changes

Thanks for the link, there’s a lot of guff on that page about increasing the number of services between Reading and Newcastle but hilariously they claim this:

Passengers travelling on Sundays will also see more resilient and reliable services across the CrossCountry network

How do they propose to do this. Are they going to rip up contracts and just ignore that Sunday is treated differently? Have they suddenly appointed new recruits who are fully trained and ready to go and are on contracts that make them work on Sunday? Have they forgotten there’s a lot more disruption coming at weekends with Saturday strikes?

Does anybody know if all the Avanti units are in service yet? If not, I assume the increase in Reading-Newcastle is taking away from other overcrowded routes?

Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry, said: “The December 2025 timetable marks the reintroduction of important CrossCountry services between Reading and Newcastle, as well as between Birmingham and Leicester. These changes will help us continue delivering reliable, comfortable journeys for our customers, while supporting the wider transformation of the timetable on the East Coast Main Line.”

 

[sufian123]

Thanks for the link, there’s a lot of guff on that page about increasing the number of services between Reading and Newcastle but hilariously they claim this:


How do they propose to do this. Are they going to rip up contracts and just ignore that Sunday is treated differently? Have they suddenly appointed new recruits who are fully trained and ready to go and are on contracts that make them work on Sunday? Have they forgotten there’s a lot more disruption coming at weekends with Saturday strikes?

Does anybody know if all the Avanti units are in service yet? If not, I assume the increase in Reading-Newcastle is taking away from other overcrowded routes?

Yes all the Avanti ones inherited by XC are in service 221107-221118

 

[Russel]

From what I gather, this unit has so many electrical issues it needs a complete rewire as well?

Doesn't bode well for the rest of the fleet then, if one has electrical issues, it would be surprising if the rest of the fleet doesn't.

 

[357]

Doesn't bode well for the rest of the fleet then, if one has electrical issues, it would be surprising if the rest of the fleet doesn't.

Most of the fleet doesn't to be fair. The units that do have electrical issues tend to get them quite badly though.

 

[Aventra]

Most of the fleet doesn't to be fair. The units that do have electrical issues tend to get them quite badly though.

Think it was 220017 which had fire alarm issues?